We are excited to be back on Vancouver Island to show you more of what the island has to offer. 2026 race week will run north to south, beginning in Cumberland and ending in North Cowichan. Stage locations will be:
Stage 1 – Cumberland
Stage 2 – Campbell River
Stage 3 – Cumberland
Stage 4 – Parksville – NEW LOCATION
Stage 5 – Mount Tzouhalem
Stage 6 – Nanaimo
Stage 7 – Maple Mountain
Individual course info will be coming in the new year.
BASECAMP OPTIONS
Your race entry fee includes everything on course to support you, including aid stations, on-course tech support, finish line food, and medical support.
Other Basecamp components such as accommodation, meals, and transportation are sold separately, so you can customize your week to suit your needs or preference.
The Basecamp Experience is something that makes BC Bike Race a truly unforgettable experience. Sure, we might tell our bosses/partners/parents that we’re off on a “super serious” mountain bike adventure—full of grit and gruelling challenges. But it’s really Adult MTB Summer Camp!
Cross that finish line, grab a drink, and kick back with your newest best friends. Rub shoulders with the pros and industry insiders, snap some epic photos, and dive into tales of the day’s triumphs and tumbles. As evening falls, dinner turns into a communal fest—a chance to laugh, recharge and share the stoke of each ride.
Once you arrive on Vancouver Island you will have two options:
• Our Program
• Your Program
OUR PROGRAM
Leave the logistics to us for the week. We will pick you up in a central location on the morning of May 22nd and take care of your food, accommodation and transportation until it’s time to go home.
If you only need partial support, our add-ons are a la carte:
⇒ Purchase the Transportation package & travel with us from town to town. Starts on May 22nd and finishes with a transfer on May 30th to the Victoria airport.
⇒ Purchase the Camping package & sleep in BCBR tents.
⇒ Purchase the VanLife package & sleep in your camper (max 26 feet) at Basecamp.
⇒ Purchase the Meal Plan & refuel with nutrient-dense meals that match your daily energy output. Plus, enjoy meeting other racers from around the world in the meal hall.
YOUR PROGRAM
Make your own travel arrangements to arrive at our first Basecamp on May 22 for registration/check-in.
⇒ Travel in your own vehicle from town to town.
⇒ Stay in Airbnb/RV/Hotel.
⇒ Look after your own meals.
You can also choose a hybrid option where you drive yourself and take advantage of our accommodation and/or meal packages.
TRAVELLING BY AIR
Travelling to BCBR, we recommend flying into one of the following three airports:
- Victoria International Airport (YYJ)
- This the largest airport is on Vancouver Island and is about a 3.5 hour drive from our first basecamp.
- Comox Airport (YQQ)
- This is a regional airport is on Vancouver Island and is the closest to Day 1.
- Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
- This airport is NOT on Vancouver Island. You will need to rent a car and take a ferry to the Island. You MUST MAKE A RESERVATION and book your ferry with BC Ferries ahead of time to guarantee a spot on a sailing.
IMPORTANT: If you are planning to purchase the Transportation Program, you will need to fly into Comox Airport. We will have a central pickup location (TBA) on Registration Day, May 22 that will take you to the Cumberland Basecamp.
We recommend flying HOME from one of the following three airports:
- Nanimo Airport (YCD)
- This airport is on Vancouver Island and is the closest to the Cowichan Valley, our Day 7 location.
- Getting to Comox Airport: https://www.comoxairport.com/ground-transportation
- Victoria International Airport (YYJ)
- This airport is a 1.5 hour drive from the Cowichan Valley.
- If you purchase the BCBR Transportation program, we will shuttle you to this airport on May 30 (the day after the race finishes).
- Getting to Victoria Airport: https://www.victoriaairport.com/parking-transportation/ground-transportation/
- Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
- This airport is NOT on Vancouver Island. You MUST MAKE A RESERVATION and book your ferry with BC Ferries ahead of time to guarantee a spot on a sailing.
TRAVELLING BY VEHICLE
To get to Vancouver Island by vehicle you have to take BCFerries, which offers two route options:
- Horseshoe Bay (West Vancouver) to Nanaimo (Vancouver Island)
- Tsawwassen (Vancouver) to either Victoria or Nanaimo (Vancouver Island)
IMPORTANT: You MUST book your ferry with BCFerries ahead of time to guarantee a spot on a sailing.
Need to rent a car? Here are some rental options:
Looking to rent an RV? Here are some rental options:
ACCOMMODATIONS
Staying in Basecamp is the way to go to get the full BCBR Experience. It’s where you’ll find camping, meal plans, wellness, daily awards, post-race fun and our famous beer garden.
Below, you can find alternate accommodation options depending on your travel plans.
BASECAMPS
Our 2026 basecamps will be in Cumberland Village Park from May 22 – 26 and Cowichan Exhibition Park from May 26 – 30. Below are lists of recommended accommodations, some of which have preferred rates for BC Bike Racers.
ISLAND ACCOMMODATIONS
COURTENAY (12 minute drive to CUMBERLAND)
*Book for May 22 – May 26th!
- Best Western – The Westerly
- To book – Call the from desk, 250-338-7741 and quote BC Bike Race
- Includes free parking, hot buffet breakfast and wifi
- Cutoff date to book rooms (if there is still availability) at a discounted rate is April 21st 2026.
- Bayview Hotel
- Reservations can be made directly by calling 778-225-0010 and quoting the block code 2605BCBI
- Includes free parking, hot buffet breakfast, wifi and indoor pool / whirlpool.
- Cutoff date to book rooms (if there is still availability) at a discounted rate is April 31st. 2026
- Super 8 by Wyndham
- Kingfisher Spa
RV Options:
COWICHAN
*Book for May 26 – May 30th!
- Oceanfront Suites Hotel
- Call the front desk 1-800-663-7898 and asking to book under the “BC Bike Race” block & access to discounted room rates!
- Online booking: through the website, by entering the group code (case sensitive): BCBike26
- Includes free parking
- Cutoff date to book rooms (if there is still availability) at a discounted rate is March 26th
- Best Western Cowichan Valley Inn
- CLICK HERE for Online booking OR
- Call – 1-250-748-2722 and mention the Group Code BCBR0526
- Includes free parking, complimentary continental breakfast and wifi
- Cutoff date to book rooms (if there is still availability) at a discounted rate is May 5th.
- Best Western Chemainus Inn
RV Options:
- Chemainus River Campground (17 min drive from basecamp)
- Country Maples RV Resort (17 min drive from basecamp)


















